Bacillus thuringiensis toxins active against scarab pests

Abstract

Certain isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) have been found to have activity against scarab pests. These isolates are designated B.t. PS86B1, B.t. PS43F and B.t. PS50C. These isolates, or transformed hosts containing the gene expressing a scarab-active toxin obtained from the isolates, can be used to control scarab-active pests, e.g., masked chafer, Cyclocephala sp., June beetle, Cotinis sp., northern masked chafer, Cyclocephala borealis, Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, and Pasadena masked chafer, Cyclocephala pasadenae, in various environments.

We claim: 
     
       1. An isolated polynucleotid encoding a toxin which is active against scarab pests, said polynucleotide encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 4 or a fragment thereof sufficient to retain anti-scarab activity. 
     
     
       2. An isolated polynucleotide, according to claim 1, comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3 or a fragment thereof sufficient to encode a toxin having activity against scarab pests. 
     
     
       3. A toxin which is active against scarab pests, said toxin comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 or a fragment thereof sufficient to retain anti-scarab activity. 
     
     
       4. A microbe transformed by a polynucleotide sequence of claim 1.